3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
11-13-2010, 07:43 PM
#1
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Location: Edmonton
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3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
Hi all I'm trying to decide between the two for my Q5, I drove both and couldn't really tell the difference. On these boards it seems like most people prefer the 3.2. I'n just wondering if there is any reason why. I was actually leaning toward the 2.0T but now i'm not sure. Any input would be appreciated.
11-13-2010, 09:19 PM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 4
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
Hi all I'm trying to decide between the two for my Q5, I drove both and couldn't really tell the difference. On these boards it seems like most people prefer the 3.2. I'n just wondering if there is any reason why. I was actually leaning toward the 2.0T but now i'm not sure. Any input would be appreciated.
11-14-2010, 01:02 AM
#3
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Posts: 72
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
A lot of people have lot of opinions on which is better and why. As long as you are getting a Q5 you are making a good decision!
With that being said here are my 2 cents..
Firstly its not exactly an apples to apples comparison.
In Canada for model year 2011 (the first year 2.0T is available for Q5) the 2.0T has the 8sp ZF transmission, while the 3.2 the 6spd auto. The 8spd transmission by itself in other audi vehicles is known to provide a significant performance and fuel economy advantage over the 6spd auto.
With that being said, the 3.2 v6 has more horespower, which translates into a higher top speed and better acceleration when you are driving at higher speeds, as well as making it easier for the Q5 to tow heavy loads. Many have commented that the 3.2 has a smoother feel to its acceleration and a better engine note.
The 2.0T is a four cylinder turbo engine, coupled with the aforementioned 8spd transmission. It will be more fuel efficient (many will argue the amount this will actually save on a yearly basis, but regardless it is more efficient...), it is also has higher torque (pulling power) at lower engine speeds (RPM). The 2.0T is about 200KG lighter than the 3.2, this may make a difference in handling feel (I did not notice the difference).
The 2.0T option costs less. With an apples to apples configuration the difference is about $2000 (the 2.0T vehicles for MY2011 do not come with the panoramic sunroof a standard, while the 3.2 has the PANO sunroof standard, so the difference for the base 3.2 Vs the base 2.0T is approximaely $4000 otherwise)
What does this mean in terms of the real world?
It come down to how you intend to use the vehicle, and what you are used to. If you do a lot high mileage driving the fuel economy of the 2.0T may make sense, especially since gas hit $1.10 a litre in many parts of the country.
The peak horsepower and torque are availble at different points in the RPM range for each engine. The 2.0T has peak power and torque lower in the rev band, around 4000 RPM, while the 3.2 has its peaks around 5500-6000 RPM. I have read many comments indicating that when driving with wide open throttle, the 2.0T felt like it ran out of power at higher RPM compared to the v6. When I drove both back to back up to about 140KM on the 401, I had no problems with either getting to that speed comfortably. Neither of them compared to 6MT Jetta GLI in that limited test, but the engines on both testers were quite new and i didn't push them to the breaking point...
If you are towing, feel the need to drive at high speed and want the power reliability of audi's venerable v6, the 3.2 may be for you.
If you are buying new, I have seen reports on other forums and some posts on this forum that indicate that orders for 2.0Ts take a bit longer than orders for 3.2. Some have suggested that allocation is even running low or almost gone depending on your dealerships specific allocation. In my recent visit to my loca dealer, there were only a few Q5s on the lot, none of them was a 2.0T because they literally cannot keep that model on the lot right now they are selling that quickly.
If you are buying used, there have been Q5s with the 3.2 produced since MY2009, therefore a variety of configurations may be available and negotions are possible on this model, which may not be as likely with the 2.0T which just started arriving in North America over the past 6 months and which is in limited supply. This may also explain why it appears that most people have gone with the 3.2 option on the forums. I have spoken to a few sales agents at Audi, as recently as the past week, and they have mentioned that the 2.0T is more popular than the 3.2 with new customers.
If you are a modder, the 2.0T offers you more options to gain power for less than the 3.2. Relatively economical mods such as a chip add significant HP and Torque, and slightly more expensive mods like upgraded turbo can boost power well past that available in the 3.2 for a little bit more than the difference between the cost of the two engines (warranties may be voided by doing modifications so proceed with caution).
Hopefully this provides some useful information for you to think on when making your choice.
Good luck!
Craig
With that being said here are my 2 cents..
Firstly its not exactly an apples to apples comparison.
In Canada for model year 2011 (the first year 2.0T is available for Q5) the 2.0T has the 8sp ZF transmission, while the 3.2 the 6spd auto. The 8spd transmission by itself in other audi vehicles is known to provide a significant performance and fuel economy advantage over the 6spd auto.
With that being said, the 3.2 v6 has more horespower, which translates into a higher top speed and better acceleration when you are driving at higher speeds, as well as making it easier for the Q5 to tow heavy loads. Many have commented that the 3.2 has a smoother feel to its acceleration and a better engine note.
The 2.0T is a four cylinder turbo engine, coupled with the aforementioned 8spd transmission. It will be more fuel efficient (many will argue the amount this will actually save on a yearly basis, but regardless it is more efficient...), it is also has higher torque (pulling power) at lower engine speeds (RPM). The 2.0T is about 200KG lighter than the 3.2, this may make a difference in handling feel (I did not notice the difference).
The 2.0T option costs less. With an apples to apples configuration the difference is about $2000 (the 2.0T vehicles for MY2011 do not come with the panoramic sunroof a standard, while the 3.2 has the PANO sunroof standard, so the difference for the base 3.2 Vs the base 2.0T is approximaely $4000 otherwise)
What does this mean in terms of the real world?
It come down to how you intend to use the vehicle, and what you are used to. If you do a lot high mileage driving the fuel economy of the 2.0T may make sense, especially since gas hit $1.10 a litre in many parts of the country.
The peak horsepower and torque are availble at different points in the RPM range for each engine. The 2.0T has peak power and torque lower in the rev band, around 4000 RPM, while the 3.2 has its peaks around 5500-6000 RPM. I have read many comments indicating that when driving with wide open throttle, the 2.0T felt like it ran out of power at higher RPM compared to the v6. When I drove both back to back up to about 140KM on the 401, I had no problems with either getting to that speed comfortably. Neither of them compared to 6MT Jetta GLI in that limited test, but the engines on both testers were quite new and i didn't push them to the breaking point...
If you are towing, feel the need to drive at high speed and want the power reliability of audi's venerable v6, the 3.2 may be for you.
If you are buying new, I have seen reports on other forums and some posts on this forum that indicate that orders for 2.0Ts take a bit longer than orders for 3.2. Some have suggested that allocation is even running low or almost gone depending on your dealerships specific allocation. In my recent visit to my loca dealer, there were only a few Q5s on the lot, none of them was a 2.0T because they literally cannot keep that model on the lot right now they are selling that quickly.
If you are buying used, there have been Q5s with the 3.2 produced since MY2009, therefore a variety of configurations may be available and negotions are possible on this model, which may not be as likely with the 2.0T which just started arriving in North America over the past 6 months and which is in limited supply. This may also explain why it appears that most people have gone with the 3.2 option on the forums. I have spoken to a few sales agents at Audi, as recently as the past week, and they have mentioned that the 2.0T is more popular than the 3.2 with new customers.
If you are a modder, the 2.0T offers you more options to gain power for less than the 3.2. Relatively economical mods such as a chip add significant HP and Torque, and slightly more expensive mods like upgraded turbo can boost power well past that available in the 3.2 for a little bit more than the difference between the cost of the two engines (warranties may be voided by doing modifications so proceed with caution).
Hopefully this provides some useful information for you to think on when making your choice.
Good luck!
Craig
Last edited by bigc_2k3; 11-14-2010 at 01:19 AM.
11-14-2010, 02:09 AM
#4
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Location: Edmonton
Posts: 5
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
Wow thanks Big,
That was exactly the info I was looking for, I drove the two back to back and I couldn't tell the difference only the 2.0 had a small bit of lag when accelerating. ( which did not both me in the least ) I will be doing mostly city driving and will not be towing anything. So looks like my initial choice ( which I have already ordered ) is the 2.0T.
Will chip void the engine warenty, like most manufacturers? I'll need to look into that. Also since the 2.0T has a bit higher torque doesn't that equate to quicker accelerations from rest?
Thanks again!
That was exactly the info I was looking for, I drove the two back to back and I couldn't tell the difference only the 2.0 had a small bit of lag when accelerating. ( which did not both me in the least ) I will be doing mostly city driving and will not be towing anything. So looks like my initial choice ( which I have already ordered ) is the 2.0T.
Will chip void the engine warenty, like most manufacturers? I'll need to look into that. Also since the 2.0T has a bit higher torque doesn't that equate to quicker accelerations from rest?
Thanks again!
11-14-2010, 09:10 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 2
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
The lag you felt is a typical issues associated with turbo engines. The turbo charger needs to build a bit of engine RPM in order to create the boost in air that will forced back into the engine. When the the pressure builds sufficiently as you are accelerating, the power begins to kick in.
You won't feel that effect with a larger displacement naturally aspirated engine like the v6.
But like you say many people will not notice this difference due to the way they drive.
The 2.0T has significantly higher torque than the 3.2 which combined with the the 8spd transmission and slightly lower weight, help to bridge the gap with the 3.2 in terms of performance. Unless you are pushing the vehicle hard you probably won't really notice the difference.
As for the chip modification, from what I understand some of the companies that offer engine modifications offer warranties on their product. Some such as Stasis are even dealer authorized installers. That beign said, any changes to the factory configuration of your vehicle should probably be undertaken at your own risk.
Craig
You won't feel that effect with a larger displacement naturally aspirated engine like the v6.
But like you say many people will not notice this difference due to the way they drive.
The 2.0T has significantly higher torque than the 3.2 which combined with the the 8spd transmission and slightly lower weight, help to bridge the gap with the 3.2 in terms of performance. Unless you are pushing the vehicle hard you probably won't really notice the difference.
As for the chip modification, from what I understand some of the companies that offer engine modifications offer warranties on their product. Some such as Stasis are even dealer authorized installers. That beign said, any changes to the factory configuration of your vehicle should probably be undertaken at your own risk.
Craig
11-15-2010, 12:03 PM
#7
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
I own a 2011 Q5. At the time I ordered it they didn't have a 2.0T's to test (it wasn't available yet) so the closest thing I could get to a Q5 2.0T was an A4 2.0T. Here was my thought process
2.0T
pros:
Lots of low end grunt, good for loafing around town
uses less gas
lighter
about 2000 cheaper
easier to mod
cons:
sounds cheap when you rev it
runs out of breath after around 4 or 5k rpm - which isn't that bad now that I think about it since it sounds cheap when you rev it to this point lol
3.2
pros:
Sounds good
more dramatic, the more you rev it the faster it goes
cons:
more expensive
uses more gas
I liked the sound and the drama so I got the 3.2
Here are some misc observations:
It uses a lot less gas than I thought it would. I used to own an A3 3.2 and I can honestly say the Q5 uses about the same or less gas. That said if you floor it a lot the Q5 uses more. I'm guessing it's a combination of more low end torque (the Q5 is noticeably more torquey) and taller gears. That said I wish the Q5 shifted into 3rd a little sooner, 2nd is a bit too tall.
In combined driving I get around 11L/100KM and I'm not light on the throttle.
I haven't tried the 8 speed but the 3.2's 6 speed is pretty fast. My a3 had a DSG transmission which was very fast and coming from there I don't find the Q5's transmission speed lacking at all. It even upshifts relatively quickly. I have the S-line with paddle shifters and the transmission is fast enough that I don't feel stupid using them.
For an SUV the Q5 handles well. I don't track it but for everyday driving I don't find the Q5 lacking.
2.0T
pros:
Lots of low end grunt, good for loafing around town
uses less gas
lighter
about 2000 cheaper
easier to mod
cons:
sounds cheap when you rev it
runs out of breath after around 4 or 5k rpm - which isn't that bad now that I think about it since it sounds cheap when you rev it to this point lol
3.2
pros:
Sounds good
more dramatic, the more you rev it the faster it goes
cons:
more expensive
uses more gas
I liked the sound and the drama so I got the 3.2
Here are some misc observations:
It uses a lot less gas than I thought it would. I used to own an A3 3.2 and I can honestly say the Q5 uses about the same or less gas. That said if you floor it a lot the Q5 uses more. I'm guessing it's a combination of more low end torque (the Q5 is noticeably more torquey) and taller gears. That said I wish the Q5 shifted into 3rd a little sooner, 2nd is a bit too tall.
In combined driving I get around 11L/100KM and I'm not light on the throttle.
I haven't tried the 8 speed but the 3.2's 6 speed is pretty fast. My a3 had a DSG transmission which was very fast and coming from there I don't find the Q5's transmission speed lacking at all. It even upshifts relatively quickly. I have the S-line with paddle shifters and the transmission is fast enough that I don't feel stupid using them.
For an SUV the Q5 handles well. I don't track it but for everyday driving I don't find the Q5 lacking.
11-17-2010, 06:01 AM
#9
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11-29-2010, 04:29 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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Posts: 29
Re: 3.2 or 2.0T in the Q5
Agree, 3.2 all the way (that said never had the op to try the 2.0). I can echo one point in a previous point though that the towing with the 3.2 v6 is fantastic. I love my ride but when I tow I absolutely love it, whenever I have my trailer on its a reminder that I 100% picked the right vehicle.
